Ordinance to fund security cameras approved unanimously

TROY >> The City will look to begin installing surveillance cameras in several locations downtown as the City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to appropriate funding for them.

The city proposed to use $180,000 from its Capital Resource Corporation and law enforcement forfeiture money to pay for the installation of the digital security cameras.

Councilwoman Nina Nichols, D-At Large, said the pilot program was meant to see how the video surveillance system would work in keeping residents safe as the city hoped to expand the program into other areas.

Deputy Mayor Pete Ryan said they were able to get forfeiture money from the Troy Police Department which will allow the city to install nine units in the downtown area. Ryan said each unit contains five cameras, allowing police to have a panoramic view as well as the ability to zoom in on a subject.

The city will also be tapping into the existing fiber optic network utilized by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to hook up six of the units. Ryan also said the city will look to partner with Russell Sage and RPI to hopefully allow police to have access to their cameras.

Other council members praised Nichols and Wally Altes, chairman of the Troy Local Development Corporation, for their research on the project. Nichols said they had spoke with then mayor of Cohoes and current New York State Assemblyman John McDonald, D-Cohoes, about its security camera program.

Councilman Ken Zalewski, D-District 5, mentioned the security cameras will help aid police officers in situations where they can’t witness a crime being committed and can provide better evidence in the prosecution phase.

“We can’t have police in every area of the city at all times,” Zalewski said. “The cameras give us some extra eyes that allow us to see more than we see now and hopefully can help prosecuting these individuals where police don’t catch the person in the middle of committing a crime.”

Councilman Mark McGrath criticized the program as he said the city was looking to do anything to protect downtown, while ignoring other areas of the city.

“I’m glad downtown will be well protected and to hell with the rest of the neighborhoods in the City of Troy,” McGrath said.

Several council members pointed out it was merely a pilot program and the city would look to expand it.

“This is the first time doing this,” said Zalewski. “There has to be somewhere to start.”

Nichols also mentioned the original idea that the Community Development Block Grants being used to make improvements to the North Central area would also include the installation of a fiber optic network as well.

“I am hoping that is still the plan,” Nichols said.

Councilman Rodney Wiltshire, D-At Large, said the city was starting with downtown since the fiber optic network already exists there. McGrath rebuffed his theory as he said there was a network in the northern part of the city as well with the Troy Housing Authority.